asked the Minister for Education if, having regard to the high percentage of young persons in the population of the country, he will give details of physical planning being undertaken by the Government to provide schools and development generally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Physical Planning.
20.
Mr. R. Burke
In relation to planning for the provision of primary schools, I have established a special team of national school inspectors, headed by a senior member of the inspectorate, to undertake the work of analysing population trends and forecast in primary school requirements up to 1991. In addition, my Department have access to studies relating to school requirements generally in specific regions carried out by such bodies as the South Eastern Regional Development Organisation and the Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited, as well as by planning consultants. I intend that the activities of this team will continue and develop so that scientific and accurate forecasting of primary school building needs will eventually be available in respect of each school district.
The capital provision for primary school building in the current year is £10 million. In 1966 a building unit was set up to plan, develop and coordinate a capital building programme for second-level schools. Subsequently it was expanded and now caters for third-level projects. In addition, advisory committees on post-primary accommodation needs in Dublin and Cork have been in operation for several years.
I have already announced a three-year programme for the years 1975-1977 for the erection and extension of second-level schools. This year starts are planned for 60 new schools and other major building projects at an estimated cost of £8 million. The cost of the three-year programme is estimated at £36.5 million. I have also announced a three-year programme for the provision of sports halls at community schools and regional colleges at an estimated cost of £1.5 million.
Three-year programmes have also been developed for third-level institutions including universities, teacher training colleges and regional colleges. The capital provision for this programme is in the order of £25.5 million.